Thom Yorke’s ‘Anima’ Reminiscent of Radiohead

Thom Yorke (pictured) released his third studio album 'Anima.' Photo credits to Wikimedia Commons.

Katherine Wong/Contributing Writer

Thom Yorke’s third studio album is an underrated gem of 2019. The self described “dystopian” album is the latest LP from the Radiohead frontman. Anima features nine tracks, and has a runtime of 47 minutes.

If you’re familiar with the discography of Radiohead, but not Yorke’s solo work, look no further. This is the perfect album to immerse yourself into the mind of Thom Yorke. The juxtaposition of Radiohead’s dynamic rock sound to the left of center dance music crafted by Yorke is outstanding. If you’re phased by the wild difference between genres of music, don’t be. Anima proves that Yorke’s solo career is worthy of your attention.

Anima comes at a fitting time. In the era of the Soundcloud rap craze, Yorke’s melancholy vocals and deeply haunting synths are like a breath of fresh air. From the up-beat dance like qualities of “Traffic” to the somber tone of “Dawn Chorus,” Anima has something for every type of listener.

According to Yorke, this album translates a period of anxiety. The album includes frequent pulses and synth heavy instrumentals. Each solo project that Yorke has produced shows this theme of anxiety. However, Anima, is an album that feels more complete and true to Yorke’s personality. From internal monologues to questions about society, this album is fitting to this day and age. Along with the theme of anxiety, Yorke also specializes in creating albums that display a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world.

The album was not something that was published alone. Before it’s release, posters for “Anima Technologies” appeared inside the London tube. This, accompanied by a phone number leading to the company, was a teaser for the album.

True to his many endeavors surrounding Yorke’s distrust of technology, Anima is no stranger to techno-dystopian themes. Anima is the musical equivalent to a Black Mirror episode –  channeling its audience to think critically about humanity’s relationship with technology.

After the album’s release, a 15-minute Netflix original by the same name followed. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the one-reeler features beautifully haunting choreography from Damien Jalet. The film features three songs: “Not The News”, “Traffic” and “Dawn Chorus”. Arguably, these are the stand out tracks from the album. This film is not to be missed. If the messages from the album are not clear upon the first listen, the film is vital in understanding the album, as it further immerses the audience into the narrative of Anima. A combination of hive minded dances and skillfully color graded visuals clearly translate what the album is about; a disconnection from a sense of self and modern society.

The dystopian, post apocalyptic themes throughout Anima are clear. When listening through, you are subjected to a world crafted by Yorke himself. Listening to the album makes it seem as if you’re navigating a post technological world, and Yorke’s vocals are reminiscent of a stranger whispering cryptic messages into your ears.

The best track off the album is “Traffic.” The opening track slowly introduces you into what you should expect from the album. Pulsing instrumentals with full bodied synths flow through the track. Traffic sounds like something that would be played at a post-apocalyptic themed dance party held at an abandoned warehouse. The dance-like qualities of the song followed by Yorke’s excellently crafted lyrics carefully showcases Yorke’s thought process for the album.  “Submit / submerged / no body / no body / it’s not good / it’s not right / a mirror / a sponge / but you’re free,” Yorke sings on the track. The lyrics paint a violent dystopian future, where humans are no longer capable of thinking on their own. This is later expanded on throughout the rest of the album.

This is the type of album that deserves more than one listen. Upon first listen, you become so immersed into the instrumentals of each song that you forget to listen to the lyrics. The trance inducing quality of Yorke’s solo work is what sinks into your subconscious with its haunting synths, making you beg for more. The best place to listen to this album is in a dark room with headphones on, lying down, staring at the ceiling. Allow yourself to dedicate all your attention to each and every song. Guaranteed, you’ll put yourself into a trance listening to everything on this record.

Overall, this album is not one to be neglected. Anima is an excellent addition to Yorke’s already impressive and critically acclaimed catalogue. Don’t let anything distract you from listening to this masterpiece, as there are so many layers to each song that deserves your attention. Thom Yorke has clearly mastered his craft of immersing his audience, and this is not an album to miss.

Final score: 4.5/5

Anima is currently playing on rotation at The Roar. You can listen to The Roar online at theroar.miami, or on 95.3 FM at MMC, 96.9 at BBC, and 88.1 in Kendall and Homestead.

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